Job offers flow in after Rose of Tralee finalist snubbed by agency over Irish accent

A young woman who was snubbed by a job agency because of her strong Irish accent has been inundated with offers of work.

Former Rose of Tralee finalist Grainne Boyle was told by the London-based Bonne International Nanny Agency that her Donegal accent was too strong. Ms Boyle (25), who holds a Masters in Education, had completed an interview via Skype with the Harley Street agency.

She was told she was more than qualified for a position as a live-in nanny with a Russian family, but was turned down.

In fact the agency told her they could not find her work anywhere in the world because of her accent.

Now Ms Boyle from Gartan has been contacted by at least six people offering her work.

"Two of them are people I have worked for before including one in Dubai and four others heard about my story.

"I have to say I am overwhelmed by the response. I am just considering things at the moment and I won't rush into anything," she said.

The Bonne agency admitted in a letter to her that most of its clients was now looking for a “BBC accent.”

Ms Boyle said shewon't be applying to any more jobs agencies who have issues with her accent.

"I am still trying to get over the fact that it was ever an issue in the first place.

"A lot of people still can't believe that this kind of things still goes on in this day and age.”

"I said it already - I'm proud of my accent and where I come from and I certainly won't be changing that for anyone," she said.